PAS may lose five reps to Amanah, claims source

(The Star) – Even as Selangor PAS prepares for the general election, there is talk that it could lose five state assemblymen to Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

A source linked closely to the party said they would defect from PAS as soon as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announces the dissolution of Parliament.

“They are just waiting for that moment to quit PAS and move over to Amanah,” said the source.

He said these assemblymen strongly believed they would lose their seats in the general election if they remain with PAS.

They are from mixed constituencies and won the last two polls because of the support they received from PKR and DAP.

“The assemblymen are serious about defending their seats and they also feel they can only serve their constituents well if they are part of Pakatan Harapan,” said the source.

He said those defecting included some currently holding positions in the Selangor state administration.

However, Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi (pic) brushed aside the speculation.

“No such thing,” he said.

“Stories such as this are being created because the general election is around the corner.”

On the contrary, he said all was well within Selangor PAS and the general election machinery in the state was already in motion.

Sallehen added that Selangor PAS would be contesting 42 state seats, which has more that 40% Malay voters, and stood a good chance of winning them.

Selangor currently has 56 state seats.

It is not known yet whether voter demographics will change if the controversial redelination exercise is concluded before the general election.

Sallehen said the remaining 14 seats in the state would be offered to Parti Cinta Malaysia and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), which are part of Gagasan Sejahtera with PAS.

Selangor PAS currently holds 13 out of the 15 seats it won in the 2013 general election.

It lost two seats when Morib assemblyman Hasnul Baharuddin and Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib left the party to become pioneer members of Amanah in 2015.